Future generations might look at Andrew Flintoff's career figures and wonder what all the fuss was about. In Tests he averaged 31 with bat, and 32 with ball. For all the talk of fearsome fast bowling, only three five-fors featured among his 226 wickets. His one-day figures were good without being outstanding, and his Lancashire ones nothing special. But what the stats don't show is his presence, and the uplifting effect that Flintoff at his finest had on his team-mates, and crowds. The game treasures few things more than an all-action allrounder. Flintoff became one of English cricket's iconic figures and his presence helped to gain the game popularity as the new century developed.

"Freddie" was selected for England in 1998 as much on promise as performance, and underperformed at first, not helped by problems with weight and attitude. He was always a big man - 6ft 4ins and anywhere from 15-17 stone, depending on the recent calorie count - and the strain of juggernauting in and bowling at 90mph was inevitably a strain: his knees and ankles took multiple poundings from pitches and surgeons' scalpels.

He was always a correct, powerful batsman, sometimes hesitant against quality spin. His bowling was always wholehearted and occasionally magnificent, when he was probing away outside off with a hint of reverse swing at high pace. But it wasn't until the New Zealand tour early in 2002 that Flintoff finally scored a Test century or took more than four wickets in a match. He looked established at last - but then another injury kept him out of the 2002-03 Ashes, although he was fit enough for the World Cup that followed in South Africa, where he was the most economical bowler on view.

That kicked off Flintoff's golden period - three home seasons when he was at his princely peak. First there was 2003, when a six off Makhaya Ntini was still rising as it thudded into the Bedser Stand at The Oval. In 2004 he finally slipped the handbrake and bowled at his fastest - and also smacked a rollicking Test-best 167 against West Indies at Edgbaston, when one of his seven sixes was memorably dropped by his father in the stands. And then there was the crowning glory of 2005, when he bestrode the Ashes series and was undoubtedly the leading cricketer in the world, a fact acknowledged by Wisden. The photograph of him consoling Brett Lee after England narrowly beat Australia at Edgbaston became the photograph to capture one of the great Test series.

After that, his body started rebelling. To make matters worse he was subsequently horribly miscast as captain in Australia in 2006-07, sometimes looking forlorn as his team sunk to a 5-0 whitewash. Worse came when an embarrassing tumble from a pedalo in the Caribbean after a late-night drinking session, which was plastered all over the newspapers, was the lowest point of in an abortive World Cup challenge

He coaxed one last big effort out of those creaking joints in 2009, demolishing the Aussies at Lord's before, uncharacteristically grazing in the outfield rather than catching tracer bullets in the slips, he virtually ensured the return of the urn with the pinpoint run-out of Ricky Ponting at The Oval. And that, sadly, was just about that: the Oval Test was Flintoff's last serious outing on the cricket field. Bullish statements about a comeback to limited-overs cricket were a regular feature of the next 12 months before finally, in September 2010, came the doleful but increasingly inevitable announcement that the body couldn't take it. One of cricket's nearly-greats had gone.

But not quite gone, it turned out. Four years later, a period filled with TV reality shows, expeditions and derring do, he announced his comeback to T20s for Lancashire. Those who feared for him had no need. He stood up to the challenge and briefly threatened to cap his return in storybook fashion as Lancashire finished beaten finalists.ESPNcricinfo staff

Hits 61 off 24 balls at Old Trafford, including 34 off an Alex Tudor over, to help Lancashire chase 250 set by Surrey. The teams have scored 146 and 151 in the first innings. This innings comes a fortnight before the Old Trafford Test against South Africa, and Wasim Akram, the Lancashire captain, says Flintoff would already be playing Tests had he been born in Pakistan.

July 23, 1998 Slow start

On Test debut against South Africa at Trent Bridge, claims Jacques Kallis

In his 13th Test, crosses 50 for the first time, and makes sure it's a big one. Hits 163-ball 137 in the second innings of the Christchurch Test is overshadowed by Graham Thorpe, though, who scores 200 in 231 balls.

August, 2002 One of many to come

Picks up a hernia, which forces him to miss the final Test at The Oval against India, and the Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka. Travels to Australia for the Ashes series, but is clearly unfit and doesn't play any Test.

March, 2003 Winner in a losing cause

In the World Cup in South Africa, bowls 48.4 overs for 140 runs and seven wickets, but England go out in the first round.

Is hit on the shoulder by Sajid Mahmood, during a Lancashire net session, and is unable to bowl for the first part of the season. Misses Tests against Zimbabwe. Returns to England action in the NatWest Challenge against Pakistan, and is a big help for Michael Vaughan in his first two one-day tournaments as captain. Bowls 28 overs for 91 runs and five wickets

August-September, 2003 Consistent in the big-time

Makes 142 off 146 balls in the second innings of the second Test against South Africa, breaking his bat in the process, but England lose by an innings and 92 runs. Makes 95 at The Oval to help England level the series.

March-September, 2004 Season before the storm

Plays a key role with 11 wickets at 29 as England win 3-0 in West Indies. Scores a century in the final Test, but the limelight in that match clearly belongs to Brian Lara for his 400.

A month later, is named the ICC Cricketer of the Year alongside Jacques Kallis, and plays in the ICC Super Series against Australia.

March, 2006 Leader of men

Is named England captain for Tests and ODIs in India after Vaughan and Marcus Trescothick are forced home. Helps England come from 0-1 down to level the series with victory in Mumbai.

May-June, 2006 Injury haunts again

Continues as England captain against Sri Lanka at home, but picks up an ankle injury in the third Test and misses rest of the summer. Recovers from injury in September, and is named captain for Champions Trophy and Ashes series.

Returns to action in the one-day series against India, taking a career-best 5 for 56 in the second match at Bristol.

May, 2008 Back to sidelines

Picks up a side strain in a county game, and is ruled out of the Test series against New Zealand.

July 31, 2008 Freddie's back (again)...

Having endured another will-he-won't-he fitness race at the start of the 2008 home summer, Flintoff returned in time for the second Test against South Africa and produced a herculean spell in the third at Edgbaston. Many felt that Flintoff had lost a competitive edge since the 2005 Ashes, but when Aleem Dar wrongly denied him an lbw against Jacques Kallis, he was fired back to his inspiring best. Flintoff won a memorable contest by uprooting Kallis's off stump in his next over, but South Africa won the match and series to end Michael Vaughan's captaincy reign.

Having picked up a hip injury Flintoff was bowling through immense pain at St John's against the West Indies. In the way that characterised most of his career sheer hard work and guts still drove him to three first-innings wickets, but the grimaces were alarming. Restricted movement didn't help an already wooden batting style and he recorded a pair and limped out of the Test series.

April 3, 2009 Hat-trick hero

Having returned from injury two games before Flintoff demonstrated his force as a limited-over bowler by ripping out five West Indian batsmen for 19 runs in the fifth game in St Lucia. Having dealt with the top order he returned to pick up Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul and Sulieman Benn in successive deliveries to seal England the series and his first hat-trick. It remains his last one-day international Flintoff played for England.

April 10, 2009 Million-dollar baby

His ODI hat-trick a week before was certainly well timed because come the IPL auction, Flintoff became, along with England team-mate, Kevin Pietersen, the joint most-expensive player in the world. He signed for the Chennai Super Kings for US$1.55 million

Much was expected of Flintoff when the IPL got underway in South Africa but he failed to live-up to his pre-tournament billing. He played just three games before tearing the meniscus in his right knee and flying home. During his three appearances, his normally water-tight bowling was dispatched to all corners and he arrived home facing an army of critics who questioned the choice to play IPL cricket months before a crucial Ashes series.

July 15, 2009 Announces retirement

Having been forced under the knife, Flintoff missed the first half of the English season, but with the Ashes in sight, he hauled himself up for a final fling against the Aussies. Like the rest of his team he was whole-hearted but ineffectual at Cardiff and with his body rebelling once more he gathered the word's media to announce he would retire from Test cricket at the end of the series. It prompted the start of a summer-long leaving tour and the announcement split opinion, with many arguing it would distract from England's cause.

July 20, 2009 Final hurrah at Lords

The decision proved an inspiration as Flintoff, freed from the responsibility of looking after his fragile body, flew into the Aussies at Lord's. In front of an emotional and charged crowd his second-innings 5 for 92 set aside any pretensions of an Aussie run chase and earned him a place on the hallowed Lord's honours board.

With his body ravaged, Flintoff's unrivalled presence was all he had left to offer England come the final Test at The Oval. As young pretender Stuart Broad ran amok to set England up, Flintoff found a way for a final fling. Ricky Pointing and Michael Hussey had calmly compiled a 127-run stand, and England fans were beginning to get twitchy. When Hussey pushed a single to the crocked Flintoff at wide mid-on, no one had banked on Flintoff swooping and hurling a rocket-throw to uproot the off stump at the strikers end with Ponting still short of his ground. It was a fine way to seal another Ashes triumph and end an epic Test career.

This is the summer where his weight has become a major issue, but Flintoff lets his bat do the talking with a thunderous innings that steers Lancashire to victory in the quarter-final of the NatWest Trophy. His hundred comes in 88 balls as he rips the Surrey attack to shreds. David Gower, who is doing TV commentary for the match, says: "We have just watched one of the most awesome innings we are ever going to see on a cricket field."

95 v South Africa, The Oval, 2003

The innings that makes everyone believe Flintoff has finally become the match-winner England crave. Three Tests earlier he has slammed 142 at Lord's, but in a long-since lost match. However, at The Oval he changes the course of the series. After Marcus Trescothick's career-best 219, England edge ahead of South Africa's 484, but the odds still favour a draw - enough to give South Africa the series. Then, with Steve Harmison for company, Flintoff opens his shoulders in thrilling style. One six off Makhaya Ntini finishes in the pavilion, and by the time he is bowled by Paul Adams he has scored 95 off 104 balls, and added 99 for the ninth wicket; and the momentum had swung decisively England's way.

5 for 58 v West Indies, Barbados, 2004

Flintoff has been England's most consistent bowler for three years now, but hasn't yet taken a decisive haul. In his 32nd Test, though, he breaks the barrier as England march towards their historic series win. Operating in the "dream team" attack alongside Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Matthew Hoggard, Flintoff builds up a fearsome head of steam. He removes Lara for 36, and later adds Ridley Jacobs and Shivnarine Chanderpaul in the same over. West Indies recover with a solid bowling performance themselves, but Flintoff takes two in second innings, too, as they are bowled out for less than 100.

While England's Test form is reaching new heights, one-day cricket continues to be a problem. However, during the final part of a record-breaking summer they find form, and it owes much to Flintoff's pyrotechnics. In the Champions Trophy semi-final, at a dank Rose Bowl, England have slipped to 70 for 3 when Flintoff strides out. Firstly he consolidates, then begins to expand and his 91-ball innings boosts England to 251. It is more than enough in bowler-friendly conditions, as Flintoff bags two wickets for good measure.

68 and 73; 3 for 52 and 4 for 79 v Australia, Edgbaston 2005

Perhaps the Greatest Test, and definitely Flintoff's finest. He plays a key role in each innings, starting with his counterattacking 68 on the first day as England set pulses racing with 407 in less than 80 overs. After having come short at Lord's, Flintoff goes back to his instincts - at one point pulling Brett Lee for six with his eyes closed. He wraps up Australia's first innings to gain a lead of 99, but Shane Warne leads a fightback, and Flintoff walks in with England tottering on 72 for 5.

But this is Flintoff's Test and his alone to salvage. A nation holds its breath as Flintoff wrenches his shoulder trying to cut Warne. But it is a false alarm and he proceeds to launch into Australia's bowlers in a final-wicket stand of 51 with Simon Jones. Chasing 282, Australia begin well and at 47 without loss Flintoff is thrown the ball. Sure enough, he produces the over of his

career. Justin Langer chops on, and then Ricky Ponting is beaten by a ripping 90mph leg-cutter. Crucially Flintoff oversteps, and has a seventh delivery - a searing one that kisses the edge of Ponting's bat. At the start of the fourth day, Australia need 107

Having watched Australia avoid defeat at Old Trafford by one wicket it

72 and 5 for 78 v Australia, The Oval 2005

Flintoff's colossal series reaches its climax with another sterling all-round display at The Oval 2005. His 72 helps England to a competitive 373, but it is with the ball that he makes the Aussies quake. Delays with rain and bad light boost England's chances of the draw they need, but on the fourth morning Australia are 277 for 2 and shaping to take a first-innings lead. In murky conditions he bowls 18 overs unchanged at nearly 90mph as Australia lose eight for 86, Flintoff taking Matthew Hayden, Ponting and Damien Martyn.

50 and 50; 1 for 68 and 3 for 14 v India, Mumbai

Trailing 0-1 in the series and with five first-choice players missing it seems an impossible task for England to level the series in the Mumbai Test. But Flintoff, in his first series as captain, marshals his team well. His first-innings 50 builds on Andrew Strauss's century, but in the second - with India's attack threatening to bowl their team back into the match, Flintoff plays his most circumspect innings, taking 146 balls for 50. Then, as India chase 313, he removes Wasim Jaffer early on the final morning, and shortly after lunch nails Rahul Dravid. The rest fell in a clatter.